SCARPA Gea

The Gea has long been a staple of women’s touring boot offerings, so it needs no dramatic introduction. It works, people know it works, and SCARPA has been sensible enough not to mess with it too much. The Pebax Rnew shell keeps things light without gutting the stiffness — at 100 flex, this boot will drive a real ski on a real descent, not just suggest a direction. While the downhill really shines on the Gea, the walk mechanism opens to 61 degrees of motion, which is generous enough that you’ll actually be able to stride on the skin track instead of shuffle. SCARPA’s Wave Closure system handles instep closure with fewer buckles than you’d expect and more hold than you’d hope for. The Heel Retention Strap keeps SCARPA fans coming back again and again. The Intuition Pro Flex Touring liner is choice — warm, moldable, and a meaningful upgrade over basic stock liners. Underfoot, a Vibram Cayman LT sole handles the approach without drama, so your touring partners need not worry about you on windswept ridges. If you are a woman looking for a capable all-around touring boot that doesn’t ask you to make painful compromises in either direction, the SCARPA Gea is a reasonable place to stop looking.

• Pebax Renew materials give the boot a progressive flex, while a Carbon Core backbone gives the boot some additional support.
• Wave Closure and Heel Retention Strap give this boot a snug fit to ensure no energy is lost to dead space in the boot.
• A Booster Active Powerstrap only adds to the progressive flex.
• Intuition Liner lends itself to a proper fit.